Narcotics Roundup Conducted By Sheriff’s Office

August 11, 2013 at 4:27 pmby Kenneth Reece

On August 1, 2013, the Watauga County Sheriff’s Office conducted a “Narcotics Roundup” on individuals throughout the county that narcotics warrants had been issued from operations, both overt and covert, over the last several months. Warrants were taken out on 19 individuals totaling 79 charges. Most of the narcotics warrants were felony charges.

Isabella Merendino

A search warrant was executed on Merendino’s residence of 1381 Highland Hall Road Apt 2 following a narcotics investigation. 10 marijuana plants were seized from her bedroom. Merendino, 21, was charged with 2 counts of Possession of Schedule I Psilocybin Mushrooms and Ecstacy, Manufacture Schedule VI Marijuana, Possession with Intent to Manufacture, Sell, or Deliver Marijuana, Maintaining a Dwelling CS, and Possession Drug Paraphernalia. Merindino was given a $75,000 secured bond and is scheduled to appear in District Court on September 19, 2013.

Larry Eugene Coffey

Information was received that Coffey was growing Marijuana on his property of 414 Huffman Road in Vilas. Detectives conducted an investigation and located 19 mature marijuana plants in Coffey’s backyard. Coffey, 49, was charged with Manufacture Schedule VI Marijuana, PWISD Marijuana, and Maintaining a Dwelling CS. Coffey was given a $10,000 secured bond and is scheduled to appear in District Court on September 19, 2013.

Deloris Ann Hedrick

Detectives and NC Probation conducted search of Hedrick’s residence of 263 Hardaman Circle finding 4 grams of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. Detectives also located a handgun, which Hedrick is not allowed to possess due to her being a convicted felon. Hedrick, 42, was charged with Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Firearm by Felon, Maintaining a Dwelling, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Hedrick was given a $20,000 secured bond and is scheduled to appear in District Court on September 19, 2013.

Heather Nelson

Detectives conducted a search warrant at Nelson’s residence of 3296 Meat Camp Road. Detectives located 2 volatile “Shake and Bake” meth labs, meth precursors, and an older meth lab in the trash. Nelson, 20, was charged with 2 counts Trafficking in Methamphetamine, Manufacture Methamphetamine, Possession of Meth Precursors, Maintaining a Dwelling CS, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Nelson was given a $50,000 secured bond and is scheduled to appear in District Court on September 19, 2013.

Brianna Nicole Kaylor

Detectives conducted an undercover operation at 485 Apt F Yosef Drive purchasing “Molly,” powdered MDMA from Kaylor. Kaylor, 20, was arrested on warrants for PWISD Schedule I MDMA, Sell/Deliver MDMA, and Maintaining a Dwelling. Kaylor was given a $20,000 secured bond and is scheduled to appear in District Court on September 19, 2013.

Shane Mabry

Detectives conducted a narcotics investigation at Manufacture Schedule I Psilocybin, Manufacture a CS within 300 ft of a School/Daycare, PWISD Schedule I Psilocybin, Maintaining a Dwelling CS, Possession of Schedule VI Marijuana, and Possession Drug Paraphernalia. Mabry was given a $75,000 secured bond and is scheduled to appear in District Court on September 19, 2013.

Detectives are still searching for the remaining suspects and are confident they will be located and arrested soon.